ExpressJet growth

[Paul R. Smith]

The latest bid had pilots in the 10/00 class upgrading in EWR, 09/00 in IAH, and 03/00 in CLE. So upgrade time is running at about 4 years right now. With the CAL guys going back and the growth we have been seeing, that will probably continue to go down to 3 years by next summer. That is of course if nothing changes, which we know will not happen so this is all subject to change. When we open up the LAX base, buy CHQ, and convert our 100 options into 190's, things will certainly change just a bit.

Bwaahahhaaa.... Dude its people like you that make this job so fun...
The latest is we are going to start up a LCC to compete with Hooters air...Were going to call it Air-eola!

Piece out skillet

 

[boxjockey]

Were going to call it Air-eola!

Dude, that's classic!

box

 

[mmmdonut]

EMB-145 options will almost certainly be converted to E170/E190 purchases.

I think they should buy some A380s... but that's just my opinion.

 

[site41]

Welcome to XJET where you will now make $17,600 as a first year F.O.. Now with that welcome note aside, let's get to the math of hiring and upgrades. We'll use pilot math...

The company is taking 1-2 aircraft per month, which obviously means new positions for pilots. With CAL bringing back about 30 pilots a month and other guys leaving out of frustration, using pilot math that would mean that upgrades would run about NO F*CKING IDEA per month and the rate of newhires per month would be the diameter of you girlfriends aerola's divided by PI because all we do as pilots is speculate on things that we have no idea what were talking about.....

Sorry about the negative connotation of this post, but you cannot guess at these things when contract negotiations are running the course that they are and our own union has no real idea of what's going on with that stuff and neither does management....

But hey, if sitting in your little computer room crunching numbers on upgrades is your thing enjoy....

 

[PA-44Typed]

Why is every one so upset at starting salary? It’s been common knowledge for years that 1st regional pay sucks at any airline. You have to start somewhere, and for CFI’s it a pay raise!

 

[SkyBoy1981]

for CFI’s it a pay raise!

Speak for yourself. I made a lot more than that even as a CFI. Unfortunately for anyone wanting an airline career there aren't many ways around the low paid regional FO position....but just being a low time CFI desperate for a big break doesn't make it ok to be taken advantage of. I'm not saying that you're wrong by taking the job...just don't be overly content with it. An airline pilot making that kind of salary is wrong...no matter how you slice it.

 

[LJDRVR]

Allow me to offer a slightly different perspective than the "average new-hire." I've been at Express Jet since May, finished IOE the second week of June, and have been having the time of my life. Those of you who are considering applying, in my opinion, should.

The training department is top-notch, the Embraer is a nice, easy to fly and comfortable (Except for the seat) jet. Everybody I have come into contact with is top notch. Although I'm sure it might happen eventually, I havn't flown with a dud yet. Maintenance and reliability are outstanding, with almost 200 hours in the airplane, I've encountered only 3 deferred items. Even on reserve the QOL has been easy to handle. (I am lucky enough to live in domicile.) The company's safety culture is outstanding, with a well administered ASAP program, and one of the best FOQA programs in the industry.

There is a different rumor for every day of the week, take them with a grain of salt. It is likely that the company will be delving into new market/airframe after a TA is reached, but you shouldn't be planning your career based on maybes. Another thing you shouldn't be worried about is upgrade times. In this industry there's no telling what going to happen next. That brings me to my main point. XJT is not some stepping stone, This is a major airline. We have one of the best products in the entire industry, and are making money. I could happily spend the rest of my career here, and not feel I was "settling" for second best.

Now, contract negotiations. Do not let fear of self-help action cause you to miss out on, or give up seniority at what I really believe is THE place to be. Yes, negotiations have drug on. Yes, there is a fairly high level of frustration amongst members of BOTH sides. The only thing missing from this company is a fair level of compensation and iron clad scope, but I trust the union, and much more importantly, have complete faith in my fellow pilots to handle these matters properly in the coming weeks and months. Not applying at someplace because of a potential strike, is like working outside of aviation because you don't want to get furloghed if terrorist ever use an aircraft again. Don't miss out on a great opportunity because of a "what if."

If you're thinking I've drank too much of the kool-aid, and are simply delirious to finally be flying a jet, please take a look at my profile. I've worked as a freight dog, and for the last five and half years, was a Captain and Director of Safety at a large 135 operation. I took a tremendous pay cut to come over here, and I've got to tell you honestly, it's been worth every penny. Sure I miss being Captain, but who cares? After years of international turbine command experience, I have nothing to prove to myself, except to see how good a "sparky" I can be. Most importantly, I've got a place to go to work where I can easily remain happy, challenged and stimulated for the rest of my career. Flying Lears was a hoot, but I couldn't spend another day on the pager.

Express Jet is a tremendous place to work, and it's only gonna get better. Give it a try.

 

[miles otoole]

Are you going to leave Xjet and head to Southwest when the call comes?

 

[mckpickle]

WOW, WIth a thread like this no wonder management is holding out the cash.


FACT. Everyone whos been at express longer than 2 years is ready to burn the place down. We are sick of managements BS and couldn't care less if we go Tango India. If they don't wanna pay we don't wanna play. Morale here sucks!!!!

FACT. Once the guys with CAL rights leave the growth will come to a screaching halt. Not to mention if we loose some of the CAL flying in the next couple years.

FACT. Express the only airline with one "feeder". So every other whore-bag MESA is just chomping at the bit to covet the flying. What that means to pilots. We lets see.....if we have 2500 pilots and we loose 10% of our flying and do not replace it......thats 250 pilots. Hummmm now what are the chances that CAL will give 10% of our flying to CHQ or someone else willing to do it for cheaper?


You guys are certainly optomistic. It is possible that great things could happen here..........if our cost stay low enough to keep ALL the CAL flying.......if CAL turns around and starts making a profit........if DAL doesn't file Chapter 11. You guys need to educate yourselves on the Capacity Purchase Agreement. That is what controls our fate. There is a possible upside but a much bigger possible downside.



But hey you'll be flying a nice shinny jet!!!

 

[AftCG182]

Ditto the pay raise for jump pilots. Nice avatar!

Why is every one so upset at starting salary? It’s been common knowledge for years that 1st regional pay sucks at any airline. You have to start somewhere, and for CFI’s it a pay raise!